Name of Study	Political Science -- Assessment of Student Learning, 2006
Study Date	05/31/2006
Researcher Name	Scott Frisch, Ph.D.
Researcher Email	scott.frisch@csuci.edu
Researcher Phone	805.437-2770

Executive Summary

Like Performing Arts, Political Science is a new program at CSUCI, having enrolled its first students in fall 2006. For the 2006-2007 AY, the Political Science program selected the following learning outcomes to assess: (1) analyze political and policy problems and formulate policy options, and (2) deliver thoughtful and well articulated presentations of research findings. Students in the Capstone course during the spring semester will produce a research project based on a real world policy problem impacting the community. Students will analyze the problem using techniques of social science research, formulate policy options and proposed solutions, and present their findings in the form of a policy memo and a poster.  The posters will be assessed based on a rubric designed to measure the two learning outcomes selected for this year.  The assessment rubric, which is currently under development, will be modeled after successful rubrics used to measure policy analysis skills as well as the quality of presentation of research findings.  The rubric will be pilot tested using the five posters produced by students in first year of the major.  During the second year of the major, when a larger cohort will be ready to complete the capstone course, data will be collected for purposes of assessing the identified outcomes, and making program and course modifications based on our findings.

Citations
Political Science Report (PDF, 30KB)

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